North Korea fired off two apparent ballistic missiles on Wednesday, the Japanese Defense Ministry said, as leader Kim Jong Un reportedly arrived at a spaceport in Russia’s far east for a rare meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
The ministry said both missiles had splashed down in the Sea of Japan, outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from its coast. It said the first missile had flown for about 350 km on a normal trajectory, while the second traveled some 650 km on an irregular trajectory.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the launches, Japan’s top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, said Tokyo had lodged a “strong protest” with Pyongyang via its embassy in Beijing.
South Korea’s military also confirmed the launch of at least two ballistic missiles, both from the Sunan area of Pyongyang.
The latest launches came as Kim highlighted “the strategic importance” of bilateral ties with Russia amid warnings by the U.S. against a possible arms deal that could be discussed at his talks with Putin.
They also came just ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, where he was expected to replace the current defense minister.
North Korea conducted what it said were “tactical nuclear strike drills” early this month and in late August, the latest in a spate of missiles tests and training that Pyongyang has conducted over the last year.